2 barangay execs, 5 others to face raps over illegal quarrying in Tarlac

Seven individuals, including two barangay officials, were arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal quarrying activities in Tarlac.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said illegal quarrying has been going on for years without proper permit from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The persons arrested will be facing charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the report said.

“Pagdating namin sa area, napansin namin na malaki na pala ang damage. kasi matagal na pala ito. Ang naabutan namin doon ay isang barangay kapitan at isang kagawad na nagsisilbing checker. Di sila sumusunod sa guidelines ng DENR,” NBI officer Terrence Agustin said.

(When we arrived at the area, we noticed the huge damage because operations have been going on for years. We saw the barangay captain and the barangay councilor who were serving as checkers. They were not adhering to DENR guidelines.)

Based on the receipts seized by the NBI, the sand and other materials gathered from the illegal quarrying site were being supplied to Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Cavite.

“Ito ngang illegal quarry, hindi naman ito nagbabayad ng buwis. Napupunta lamang ito sa pockets ng ating mga barangay officials o operators na gumagawa nang wala namang mga permits. And also ang pinakaimportante ngang aspect nito ay 'yung environmental laws because alam naman natin na 'pag illegal quarries malaki ang damage nito doon sa excavation site,” NBI spokesperson Giselle Garcia-Dumlao said.

(These illegal quarry operators do not pay taxes. The revenues from these illegal activities go into the pockets of the operators. Also, the most important aspect is their non-adherence to the environmental laws because we know these illegal quarries cause massive damage to the excavation site.)

GMA News reached out to the suspects for their comments but has yet to get responses as of press time.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News